The Portland daily press., 1887-10-07
THE AIR FULL OF DOODLE.
This Is the v ay 1t Seems to Have
Been About Concord.
A Legislator Who Went to See Frank
Jones.
Men Who Think They Could Have
Sold Their Votes for 1000.

CONCORD, N. H., Oct. 6-The House judic-
larry committee resumed its hearing at Con-
cord this morning on the alleged attempted
bribery of members in connection with rail-
road matters.
Stillman Merrill, representative for Dor
chester, was sworn first. "Some three
weeks ago." he testified, "Mr. Caleb, repre-
sentative for Darlington, asked me how /
felt on the railroad question and also asked
me If would change my mind for $1,000. BE
said 'Pll give you $100O.' or you can have
$1000,' don't remember which. Never had
any other talk with Mr.. Caleb on the SUBJ
ject."
Mr.. Colby-"Was nobody else present
when he made the offerp"
II met him in Montgomery street in Con-
cord some two weeks ago. We take our
meals at the same place. Just before we
got to the State House he made the talk
about $1,000. knew Caleb well as a men,
Der Of the Legislature. 1 don't know how
Mr.. Moore learned of the offer. / didn't
consider the matter of any great consequence
and supposed shouldn't hear of it again. |
am here on summons"
James w. Lather, representative for Man
chester, was sworn next Il came here on
in August l left Concord for home on the af-
ternoon train. When got to Manchester
gentleman saw me and asked me about rail-
road matters. My position was in favor of
the Concord railroad and tried to defend it
as best could. The man Kept me there
talking a long time. He said to me in sub
stance that there was something to be made
In 1t and he wanted all the Manchester boys
to get some. Be then said: When you
make up your mind that the Hazen bill is all
ON in a uroxr Of rs,.x
thing. next saw him on the Saturday be-
fore the vote was taken on the postpone
ment of the Hazen bill. He came to me in
my garden where was working, and again
get something don't want to give his
name, but If | must, it is Alfred Quimby.
lie said he didn't want to buy anybody, but
when made up my mind of my own accord
that the Hazen bin was all right and voted
for it, could get about $1,000. / told him
could give him no encouragement.
Before he left he asked me to let
him know before the next We'd
nesday night so he could get the money
for me. He gave me to understand that 1
would get $1,000 to vote for the Hazen bill.
He spoke to me on the street in Concord
after that, and said when the vote was taken
on the Hazen bill he hoped he and would
be on the same side. have seen Quinby
here at times du-ing. the session. / have no
any member. Mr.. Quinby is a man of means
and owns largely of real estate" In answer
to Mr. Page: 81 have been twice to the
White mountains during the session. ldon't
oae Sasap spsaang td Of 21GSs offer to
After he left / told my wife he had offered
me 81 200 to vote for the Hazen bill and she
said 70 me, don't do it. We have got money
enough; To Mr.. Branch: "Our converse
told him my position. He said he had stock
In the Concord and Pemigewassett Valley
railroad. Have always considered him a
respectable man and so still consider him.
Never heard anything dishonorable of him.
far as know" To Mr.. Sulloway: "Mr.
Qqiney lives about a mile and half from
where / do"
Alonzo B. Long, representative for Alton,
was sworn. Mr., Frank Jones called me to
about three. weeks ago, think, and as l
used to be a locomotive engineer on the Bos-
ton d Maine he said he wanted to give me
job. He wanted me to work for the Hazen
pill. Nothing was said about voting. /
think he said / might have good job and
have $500, $500 or $500 in addition. / don't
ramam her what the amount Of InUnoy pas
l told him that he hadn't money enough to
is about all that was said Another gentle,
man came into the room and left. don't
think there was any other talk" To Gen
eral Marston. when l told Jones he had
not money enough to bribe me he said he
didn't want to bribe me. Nobody else ever
attempted to bribe me. G. A. Sinclair was
present during part. if not all the time
when lhad the interview with Jones. l
have told perhaps 10 or 30 about this matter,
as didn't like the idea of being talked to in
to bribe other members" To Mr..
Branch: LEFT the Boston & Maine IL
or 13 years ago. Am now farmer. Met
Jones once before our interview Ia the hotel.
Went into the room because Mr.. Sinclair
to Sinclair before this; Sinclair told me in
the hotel office, and both of us went to the
room together, and Sinclair introduced me.
Jones first said, i want you to go running
an engine on the Whitefeld Railroad My
remark was: You haven't money enough to
hire me- He said: I don't want to bribe
anybody Our interview lasted perhaps 80
minutes. Never had any other talk
about this matter" To Mr.. Colby: 1.-THE
idea got from Mr.. Jones's talk was that he
wanted to get me to vote for the Hazen bill.
The Hazen bill was not spoken of while /
was in his room." To Mr.. Page: "Mr Sin
clair said word or two during my interview
with Jones, but don't remember what it
Mas: l left the Boston q Maine Railroad at
the time OF the great strike. They didn't
turn me off l belonged to the Brotherhood
and left at that time. l had then been an
engineer five or six years."
Mr.. Z. A. Sinclair then addressed the COM
iiseSO, abo ottlu t1ldt do HIS name ndu Doen
before the committee in connection with
questionable transactions, he asked chance
70 testify. The statement had been sent to
the newspapers, and he felt that great in
Justice had been done him.
The chairman informed him that he would
nave an opportunity to give his evidence, and
he would be notified when to appear.
AT ~ CLOCK the hearing adjourned till s
a. m, tomorrow.
In the Senate.
In the Senate this forenoon Senator pit
man introduced the Atherton railroad bill
and the same was read twice and referred.
Inc Hazen bill, as it passed the House
Yesterday afternoon, was read twice and re-
lerred 10 the rallroaH committee. Several
amendments were adopted to the Joint re-
solution.
The Senate railroad committee voted to
mold hearing on the Hazen and Atherton
Dllls Tuesday morning, and close the hear
ing at that time and report at the forenoon
session of that day.